Dominique Easley, LeGarrette Blount Absent from Patriots Practice

The Patriots had practice for the first time since the game against the Chargers, with Bill Belichick giving the players an extra day to rest after such a grueling road trip. Safety Tavon Wilson was pumped.

It marked the return of linebacker Chris White to the field, and Ben Volin of the Globe noted that Dont'a Hightower was looking much better after his shoulder injury. Jeff Howe of the Herald said that Chandler Jones was working on the wet grass, which means he's pretty close to returning.

Two key players were absent from the field- running back LeGarrette Blount and defensive tackle Dominique Easley.

Blount was in court dealing with his marijuana case from back with the Steelers; the outcome is 50 hours of community service before February and he'll be fine.

Easley has missed roughly a day of practice each week since he injured himself in the middle of the year; this is likely just a precautionary update and he'll be ready for his handful of snaps come Sunday.